BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- Courts not already shut down for today's Confederate Memorial holiday are closing early this afternoon ahead of strong thunderstorms expected to sweep through the area.

Federal courts at the Hugo L. Black U.S. District Courthouse in Birmingham will close at 3 p.m., although individual judges could decide to stay later to complete any hearings. The U.S. Attorney's Office also was closing at 3 p.m., said Peggy Sanford, spokeswoman for that office.

State courts in Jefferson County were closed today due to the state holiday, although jurors continue to deliberate in Circuit Court Judge Bill Cole's courtroom in the capital murder trial of Charles Edward Debruce. Deliberations had begun Friday.

State courts in Shelby County are closing at 4 p.m. today due to weather concerns, according to an order from Circuit Court Judge H.L. Conwill.

While many sate courts had the Confederates Memorial holiday off, Shelby County's courts had taken Good Friday off in exchange.